The imaginative thrill seekers of the world are in for an inexpensive treat, as they can join an extremely unconventional and one-of-a kind road trip from Birmingham to Kashmir. The entourage will take part in a 12-day road trip on a bus, stretching over 4,000 miles and passing some seven nations on the way.
Acknowledged as Britain's longest travel trip, the bus service will pick passengers from West Midlands for a twelve day commute till Mirpur, Pakistan. Interestingly, Mirpur is sometimes fondly also referred as 'Little Birmingham', due to its intimate, cross cultural family and historical association with the second largest city of England in terms of population. For the interested and willing people looking for joining the unusual journey, the tickets are believed to cost around £ 130, besides one can save some £ 450 on the average flight fare.
Reportedly, the bizarre 12-day road trip will span seven Asian and European countries, comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey, besides including stoppages at Quetta near Afghan border and the capital of Iran, Tehran.
According to Tahir Khokher, Transport Chief of Mirpur region, Pakistan, the unconventional road trip will result in bringing the two cities closer, while mutual relationships along with tourism will flourish as well. Underlining his vision, Khokher said, “We are proposing to run four luxury buses once a fortnight,” he further added, “The Kashmir government will also set up a swift counter system to hasten the visa process for those who don’t have a British passport.”
Khokher also repudiated all the security concerns around the road trip, especially due to the scheduled stopover at the notorious city of Quetta, which is home to several top Taliban commanders. Khokher added, “I don’t feel it will be a problem. The government is responsible for security. Barring one or two instances in Quetta, the overall situation is good to go. We are proposing to run four luxury buses once a fortnight. It will be a thrilling ride with particular arrangements for sightseeing, camping and restaurant visits.”
Evidently, the new development was received positively by Khalid Mahmood, who is a Birmingham Labour Member of the Parliament (MP), said, “It’s a great idea that will bring the two cities closer together and be a real life experience, particularly for younger people.” Mahmood's ancestral family is also from Mirpur province.
Expressing his faith in the new development, Mohammed Nazam, a city councillor, informed that in the past, several families and individuals often travelled from Britain to Pakistan by road and the concept is not new at all. Nazam said, “In the 1970s and 1980s people would drive a van from the UK to Kashmir and it would take about 10 or 12 days of hard driving, day and night,” he also added, “Even in those days it was a real adventure. But the world isn’t as safe a place as it used to be.”
